Wooden essence box, Florence, Italy, 1612-1900

Made:
1612-1900 in Florence
Wooden essence box, in the form of a book Wooden essence box, in the form of a book

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Wooden essence box, in the form of a book
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wooden essence box, in the form of a book
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wooden essence box, in the form of a book, decorated with overlaid wire, containing 5 phials of perfumes, by Maria Novella, Florence, Italian

In this book-like wooden box, decorated with overlaid wire in a floral pattern, are five small glass bottles of essences used to make perfumes. Essences include lavender oil, vanilla essence, cedar oil and orange oil. These were truly exotic fragrances at a time when most people did little to hide their ‘natural odours’.

These essences were made by Santa Maria Novella, a famous pharmacy and perfumery founded in Florence, Italy, in 1612. Originally run by the Dominicans, a religious order, the perfumery still survives today and continues to use original recipes.

Details

Category:
Pharmacy-ware
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A641988
Materials:
case, wood, case, paper, case, metal and case, cloth
Measurements:
overall: 28 mm x 150 mm x 95 mm, .14kg
type:
essence box